A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Manhattan on Wednesday afternoon, New York authorities said. CBS New York reported that the chopper’s 35-year-old pilot is OK and there were no passengers on board. Officials said the helicopter had just refueled prior to the incident.
The Bell 206 helicopter crashed into the river shoreline around 2:30 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. Investigators are responding to the crash site, the agency said.
A second person at the helipad suffered injuries, possibly from debris from the crash, and was treated at the scene, CBS New York said.
The helicopter is operated by Blade chopper service, which operates a shuttle service between Manhattan and local airports.
CBS New York points out that the pilot deployed floats along the helicopter’s landing skids which, when inflated, kept the helicopter from sinking in the water.
Officials said southband lanes of traffic have reopened on 12th Avenue between 42nd and 23rd Streets.
#FDNY members remain on scene of a helicopter crash in the Hudson River. The helicopter is tied to the pier at this time. The pilot is on land, and was the only person on board. pic.twitter.com/AK5MvjvAP4— FDNY (@FDNY) May 15, 2019
There are currently 2 non-life-threatening injuries reported on scene of a helicopter crash into the Hudson River – the pilot and one heliport worker injured by debris. #FDNY operations continue. pic.twitter.com/Z1hA2PBKMC— FDNY (@FDNY) May 15, 2019
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